Odds and Ends | A "Power" struggle

Celebrity gossip, famous birthdays and other tidbits, compiled from Seattle Times news services.

People

A "Power" struggle

The schism between the Rev. Robert H. Schuller and his son at Orange County, Calif.'s Crystal Cathedral arose over a disagreement about broadening the church's long-running television show, the "Hour of Power," beyond a single personality — a move opposed by the younger Schuller, pastors involved in the matter said Sunday. The elder Schuller announced Saturday that he was removing his son, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, as the show's only preacher, three years after turning the program over to him. The show will be hosted by different pastors, and even businessmen, from around the country and Latin America. The "Hour of Power" reaches 20 million people worldwide.

Prince Harry winging it?

Following in the royal footsteps of his father, uncle and older brother, Prince Harry hopes to train to become a military helicopter pilot, officials announced today. Harry is to attend a four-week "grading" next month to determine whether he is suitable for training, his Clarence House office said. If accepted, it could take Harry up to 2 ½ years to complete the course and learn to fly Gazelle, Lynx or Apache helicopters. Harry, 23, already has passed the initial aptitude tests, the statement said. Harry's older brother, Prince William, begins his training to become a search-and-rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force in January.

It's a boy!

Amy Poehler delivers

"Saturday Night Live" star Amy Poehler her husband, Will Arnett, have became parents. Their son, Archie Arnett, was born early Saturday evening in New York, weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Mother and child were "healthy and resting comfortably," according to a statement. Poehler, who performed on Thursday night's special edition of "SNL," also starred opposite Tina Fey in this year's "Baby Mama" as a working-class girl who agrees to be a surrogate mother for a single businesswoman.

Fun and games

Chess crown at hand

World chess champion Viswanathan Anand of India survived a scare and moved to within a half point of retaining his title with a hard-fought draw against his Russian challenger Vladimir Kramnik in game nine in Germany on Sunday. This gives Anand a 6-3 advantage in the 12-game match. He now needs only one draw out of the last three games to keep his title.

Box Office

"Senior Year" top of class

Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" hoofed its way to the top of the weekend box-office class with $42 million, while Lionsgate's horror sequel "Saw V" had to settle for second place with $30.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. A big-screen sequel to the Disney Channel TV movies, "High School Musical 3" had a record opening for a song-and-dance flick, easily beating the previous best of $27.8 million, set over the summer by "Mamma Mia!"

Today in History

1904: The first rapid-transit subway, the IRT, was inaugurated in New York City.

1914: Author-poet Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales.

1938: Du Pont announced a name for its new synthetic yarn: "nylon."

1978: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their progress toward achieving a Middle East accord.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Nanette Fabray, 88. Actress Ruby Dee, 84. Actor-comedian John Cleese, 69. Country singer Lee Greenwood, 66. Producer-director Ivan Reitman, 62. Country singer-musician Jack Daniels, 59. Author Fran Lebowitz, 58. Actor-director Roberto Benigni, 56. Actor Peter Firth, 55. Rock singer Scott Weiland, 41. Actor Sean Holland, 40. Actress Sheeri Rappaport, 31.